APRIL 2019The Best Friend Ever
MAKE PEOPLE SEE IT:
EXPRESS YOUR GRATITUDE
“One of the main reasons we get
along so well with our dogs is that
we don’t expect much of them,”
says Ryerson. We love them for who
they are: companions who bring us
joy but can’t fill our every need or
desire. Apply the same fair stan-
dards to the human folks in your life.
Instead of wishing your partner still
had the abs of five years ago, focus
on an attribute about him that turns
you on right now, and tell him how
much you love it. Or accept that
your kids may misbehave in restau-
rants because, well, they’re kids,
and you’re lucky to have them.
Lowering expectations helps you
criticize less and appreciate more,
which gives those you love the
freedom to be themselves and feel
more comfor table with you. It also
removes a ton of pressure from life
in general. We’ll all roll over for that.Kind and Affectionate
MAKE PEOPLE SEE IT: GIVE TREATS
Bestow small tokens—offer free
babysit ting to your sister-in-law, ap -
plaud a colleague in an email to your
boss, buy a book you loved for your
pal—even when there’s no occasion
to reward or celebrate, suggests
family therapist Margie Ryerson,
author of Treat Your Partner Like
a Dog. Another tactic: Give more
attention to someone you aren’t
getting along with. Compliment that
person, share something (a movie
rec), or just show interest in what
they’re up to. They’ll start to see you
as compassionate, which will help
them warm up to you over time.Happy and Fun-Loving
MAKE PEOPLE SEE IT: PLAY MORE!
Goofing off isn’t a waste of time;
it’s an important form of social in-
teraction, says Coren. For your pup,
it builds predictability (you throw,
she fetches, and so on) and reci-
procity (she does her part). It’s also
just plain fun, a mental break from
the grind. So make playtime a regu-
lar occurrence: Plan an activity-
based date (shuffleboard, anyone?)
and invite the girls over for board
games instead of brunch. At the
office, initiate a team happy hour or
workout. When people learn that
you work hard and can swap dating
stories over wine, they’ll see you as
a more enjoyable companion.Yo u r
Dog Thinks
You Are...
Yo u r
Dog Thinks
You Are...Yo u r
Dog Thinks
You Are...